Force India pair staying in 2013 - Mallya

Sep.20 (GMM) Vijay Mallya has played down reports Force India is having to draw up a shortlist to fill its two race seats for 2013.

Paul di Resta is reportedly a leading candidate to replace McLaren's perhaps Mercedes-bound Lewis Hamilton, while Nico Hulkenberg has been strongly linked with Ferrari.

"Nico and Paul have contracts for next year and will be with us," Force India team owner Mallya is quoted by Auto Bild Motorsport.

The comments follow deputy team boss Bob Fernley's recent admission that, while the drivers are tied to Force India for 2013, the Silverstone based team is willing to negotiate commercial deals with any bigger teams that want to poach di Resta or Hulkenberg.